John Galliano blames Valium, Ambien, alcohol for anti-Semitic rant

By IBT Staff Reporter On 06/22/11 AT 3:01 PM

Fashion designer John Galliano leaves after a hearing in a police station in Paris February 28, 2011. The Christian Dior fashion house suspended its star designer John Galliano on Friday pending an inquiry into accusations he hurled racist remarks at a couple in a Paris bar. About a week before Galliano was due to present Dior's collection in Paris, police were called to a bar in the city's trendy Marais district on Thursday evening where they found the designer doling out a drunken torrent of abuse to a couple of customers, a police source told Reuters. Photo: Reuters

Fallen Dior designer John Galliano arrived at a Paris courthouse on Wednesday and blamed an addiction to Valium for his anti-Semitic outburst in a Paris cafe in Fabruary.

Galliano was promptly fired after his rant was made public. Dior cited a strict zero tolerance for racism as to why they let their designer of 15 years go.

In his prime Galliano dressed Princess Diana, Madonna and Natalie Portman. If convicted Galliano faces up to six months in prison and $32,000 in fines.

In court on Wednesday Galliano claimed he doesn't remember the rant and argued that it was because of a dependence on prescription drugs that led to his outburts. Galliano said that after his workload increased dramatically he began abusing Valium, Ambien, alcohol and antidepressants.

Galliano has been in rehab ever since his arrest. He appeared in court today to plead his case and both sides presented witnesses and evidence. Paris judges will decide Galliano's fate, there is no jury because while racist and wrong, Galliano's offense is considered minor.